The Northwest Coast Native Americans include several tribes. They expand from Alaska to northern California.The tribes are labeled on the map.
The region of the Northwest coast provided its people with a rich hunting and fishing culture. Agriculture was nonexistent to them because of the abundance of natural resources provided by the water and forests. Salmon and other fish were a main food source. The cedar trees that sprawled across the coast provided for housing, tools, and artwork.
The people believed all things had a spirit. If one mistreated an animal it would bring them harm. For example, they have a story of a girl who laughed at a frog. Therefore, the frogs captured her and turned her into part frog. When she was recovered by her father she died because she no longer could eat meat.
Northwest Coast people lived in a ranked society. There were chiefs, nobles, and servants. Clans lived together with several families dwelling in the same lodge. High rank, wealth, and power went together in there society. The lodges of high ranked chiefs were decorated with many carvings including totem poles. The Northwest Coast people placed great emphasis on ownership of rights. A person’s ownership varied from a berry patch to a simple song. Therefore, people had to request ownership of their rights and have them be accepted by a large group of their ancestors. The request of ownership took place through a celebration called a potlatch.
In late winter or early spring potlatches took place. It was a celebration of the people’s well being. At a potlatch the people’s economic stability was established and status/kinship ties were confirmed. Potlatch means to give.
A village member needing to obtain privileges since written deeds were unknown to them would hold a potlatch. Hosts of potlatches would continually try to outdo each other. Therefore, a host would save for years to afford the food and gifts he would have at his potlatch. People, usually related to the host, from nearby villages would come and stay in the hosting village for several days. The hosting village member would have a great feast for his visitors. At the feast the hosting member would make his request to the guests. The request would vary from claiming a hereditary rank of a deceased relative or for a vacant position of leadership. The guests witnessing the host request made the claim valid. The host gave his guests valuables gifts for validating his request. Furthermore, a totem pole would be raised at the potlatches. The totem pole acknowledges the host’s new stasis. The totem pole would include the member's clan crest and ancestry.
A potlatch was also a celebration of culture. Dance, song, costumes, and masks brought the mythological world alive. Masks worn at potlatches are pictured here.
Totem poles are the Northwest coast’s books. They display an unwritten language. The creatures carved on the cedar poles each symbolize and tell a story of the Northwest people’s beliefs. The animals on the poles display the people’s legendary descent from animal ancestors. The poles were displayed along house fronts, village entries, and cemeteries. The poles represent the achievements of the Northwest Coast people.
The Nootka and Kwakiutl were known for there “welcome” poles which stood near the village beach. The “welcome” pole was a larger-than-life human figure with outstretched arms that “welcomed” visitors.
The Haida, Tsimshian, Kwakiutl, and Tlingit people had the frontal poles attached to the lodge at the side of the doorway. The poles displayed the family’s history and crest. These poles proclaimed families’ identity and social standing. Therefore, high-ranking chiefs would have the most elaborate poles and sometimes on each side of the doorway.
The Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian and Kwakiutl people used the memorial pole . These poles stood before a home and were not attached. Memorial poles consisted of a single crest at the base and/or top of the pole. The pole was raised a year after the death of a chief and displayed the special achievements or events of the deceased’s life. The succeeding chief gave the memorial potlatch, which initiated his new position.
The Haida, Tlingit, and rarely the Tsimshian displayed the mortuary pole for high ranked deceased. The pole would have a large cavity cut into the upper end. A year after the death, a box containing the deceased’s remain was placed in the hole. The hole was then covered with a decorative cedar board.
Animals and people are carved standing or cruching upright on totem poles. Therefore is can be difficult to depict the crests contained on a pole.
The raven is believed to be the giver of light to the Northwest Coast people. The raven changed itself into a tree needle and placed itself in the river were the god-chief Nass-shikke-yahl’s daughter drank. Nass-shikke-yahl was the creator of all the world’s people. When the daughter drank the raven she carried him and bore him as her son. He was raised and when a young boy Nass-shikke-yahl gave him the boxes containing the Sun, Moon, and Stars. The raven then released the light to the world. The story varies slightly among tellers but the raven is known as the giver of light. Therefore, the raven is a significant figure on totem poles.
The bear is a guardian spirit know for giving people skills like hunting and cooking.
The beaver bestows “medicine power” and changing the weather.
The salmon is known as the Northwest Coast’s main food source.
Thunderbird was considered the most powerful of all spirits. Therefore, only superior chief could take it as a crest. It is believe that thunder is formed from the bird’s wings and lightning from its eyes.
Hokw-Hokw is a monster-bird with a very straight beak. He is under control of the cannibal spirit and is known for cracking open skulls and devouring the brains.
Dzoonokwa is a not-quite-human female that roams the forest. She is known for capturing and devouring children who cry or venture alone in to the forest. People in the United States have similar giant called Big-foot.
Siskiutl is a two-headed scaly sea serpent with power to bring good and evil. It can change itself into various forms. Looking or touching at it can cause death. However, it is know to bring wealth and safety to a house that it is painted over.
The raising of the pole is done by a large group. The clan's strengths allows for the pole to be raised.
The Northwest Coast people use most animals in there crests. The people beleive they are "one" with animals. Animals gave them the life they have. Therefore, they honor animals and other resources. The Northwest Coast people had a welled developed society which valued rights and kinship. The crests in totem poles were used to display social status and their ancestory to animals.
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